AEW commentator Tony Schiavone shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Steve “Mongo” McMichael on the “What Happened When” podcast following the former Chicago Bear and WCW star’s passing after a battle with ALS. Schiavone emphasized McMichael’s unique combination of legitimate toughness and genuine kindness. “He he obviously was a phenomenal football player,” Schiavone began. “And there are a lot of people out there that say, ‘Yeah, but a wrestler he was…’ But you know, he was fine as a wrestler, and he was legitimately a badass. And not many wrestlers can say that… So when you see Steve McMichael work a match, you’re watching a man who could really probably kick your ass having to learn how to work.”
Host Conrad Thompson added crucial context regarding criticisms of McMichael’s in-ring work, reminding listeners of his background. “As a reminder, you mentioned it, there’s a lot of fans who, in the last several years have thought it was in fashion to dunk on Mongo’s wrestling skills… I want to remind you, they trained him to do one celebrity match, and then after that said, ‘Hey, you’re just a full time wrestler now’ and put him on the road, making towns after he’d been trained to work one match… normally, by the time you see a wrestler on Nitro… they may have been wrestling 5, 6, 7 years, not one match…” Schiavone agreed, “To be put in the ring as a horseman? Yes, that’s a big ask, and that’s a lot of pressure.”
Beyond his toughness, Schiavone remembered Mongo’s off-screen personality fondly. “He was really a good dude, and I really liked hanging out with him because… he just made you feel safe being around him,” Schiavone recalled. “It’s kind of like Wahoo McDaniel was… if we get into a f***ing fight, I’m getting behind this guy, Steve McMichael… He didn’t come across as threatening or bad or mean or anything like that. He came across as a real solid guy to hang out with. So I kind of consider him like a big brother when we hung out.”
Schiavone expressed sadness about McMichael’s illness and passing but stated his desire to remember the vibrant personality he knew. “I’m heartbroken about his loss. I’m really heartbroken that… there were a lot of pictures of him when he was sick… I don’t want to remember Mongo that way,” he said emotionally. “I want to remember that big, robust guy with long hair… that took no bullsh*t from anybody at all, and was one of the baddest guys ever in the ring… I put him in the Goldberg [category], Rick Steiner… legitimate badass… Mongo was top of that list.” He also noted Mongo deserved his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction much earlier than it happened.
Schiavone shared these memories on the What Happened When podcast, available weekly on major podcast platforms.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit AdFreeShows.com with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
